WASHINGTON (CNN) - The top two Democrats in Congress are coordinating an effort to get uncommitted superdelegates to publicly endorse a candidate and bring the Democratic presidential nomination fight to a conclusion.

A senior Democratic aide tells CNN that Speaker Nancy Pelosi is already calling uncommitted superdelegates and pressuring them to back either Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton between now and next week. Pelosi is working with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

In an interview with a San Francisco radio station on Thursday, Reid said he spoke to Pelosi and Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. “We all are going to urge our folks next week to make a decision very quickly," Reid said.

A DNC aide confirmed that Reid and Dean spoke, but said it was the latest in a series of conversations the Democratic leaders have had on this topic.

"Dean is the one who has encouraged superdelegates to get off the sidelines. He has been saying that all along. They've both discussed in the past that the superdelegates should make their intentions known before July 1," said the aide, who did not know whether the two talked about putting a deadline on uncommitted superdelegates to pick their candidate by next week.

Pelosi told the editorial board of the San Francisco Chronicle this week that she "will step in" if there is no resolution to the contest before the convention: “We cannot take this fight to the convention. It must be over before then. I believe it will be over in two weeks."

Pelosi, who will serve as the chair the Democratic National Convention in August, insists she will remain neutral until there is a Democratic nominee

soundoff(208 Responses)

John

United States of America,is a democracy Nation to a larger extent than any other we can think of.Strong arm tactics does not work here,and nobody is above the law.Euphoria bars people from intelligent,objective decision making.Give the two democrat contenders an equal opportunity to fight for the seat at the White House! Right now there is none.Ramming one favored contender in the peoples throats is going to fail miserably! Russia did better? Is it?

May 29, 2008 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

Steve

I love the people that think Hillary will 'win' if she goes independent. She'd effectively split the vote with Obama and not take anything away from McCain and that would be your winner.

As bad as it's been, I really doubt the Clintons would rather have another Republican warmonger than a democrat. They'll be pushing hard for VP if anything.

I did not vote for Bush, for those reasons either time- I won't vote for Obama.

May 29, 2008 07:37 pm at 7:37 pm |

Tim

Why can't everybody stop trying to end the process before it has time to run its course. Democrates created the rules and Democrates should follow their own rules. Anything less is hypocritcal and unethical

May 29, 2008 07:38 pm at 7:38 pm |

Janelle

Jane L,

So Hillary wants every state to vote and every vote to count? Then please explain why she wants the nomination to be based on the popular vote knowing full well that means that 4 caucus states will not be considered.

Oh right, because those states voted overwhelmingly for Obama.

May 29, 2008 07:38 pm at 7:38 pm |

john/Montana

Sorry, I meant to addres my comments to margaret and others who have been misled by the Clinton spin machine.

May 29, 2008 07:38 pm at 7:38 pm |

J.L.

This is a step in the right direction. They should make it so shortly after the June 3rd primary, someone should get the necessary number of delegates. And not get dragged on til the convention.

The funniest thing I find about this whole situation is how much Hillary and her supporters (even those posting on these comment sections) can't seem to accept the reality that she is most likely not going to get the nomination... despite all the "fuzzy" math being used when counting MI and FL... pushing to have MI counted as-is even though one of the candidates wasn't even on the ballot? How does someone rationalization something like that? How do any of you rabid-Clinton supporters see that as fair in any way?

And all you, "if my candidate doesn't get the nomination, I'm gonna vote for McCain" people, don't let the door hit you on the way out. I'd rather want people that can think a bit rationally in the party...